Potential for tornadoes, another rainfall record Thursday

Philadelphia has had record rainfalls twice in the past week. Now, the question is: Will it happen again on Thursday?

The National Weather Service says more storms are expected to move through the region Thursday -- when the first round of the U.S. Open takes place at the Merion Golf Club in Ardmore.

The area is at risk for heavy rain, tornadoes, strong damaging winds and hail, the weather service says.

Today, though, should be sunny with a high temperature near 85 degrees.

Then, there's a chance of showers overnight, with rain and thunderstorms likely throughout the day Thursday, according to the weather service. Forecasters expect one to three inches of rain in most areas, and a flood watch will be in effect.

That could be enough to set yet another rainfall record. The current precipitation record for June 13 stands at 2.21 inches, set in 1982.

After heavy showers on Friday and Monday, "it will not take much rain to produce new flooding in our region," the flood watch says.

Small streams, creeks and poor drainage areas are the most likely flooding spots.

The heaviest rain is expected to begin late Thursday morning and continue into the evening.

Officials have said Merion's course drains well and they're not expecting the showers to alter the tournament. Some holes could be played on the West Course if parts of the East Course aren't playable, but U.S. Golf Association executive director Mike Davis called that a "10,000 to 1" shot earlier this week.

"We don't anticipate that happening to the point where we're not going to be able to get the U.S. Open in and we're going to have to go to some holes on the West Course," he said at the time.

But concerns remain: The 11th hole, the lowest-lying on the course, is guarded by two creeks and appeared the be flooded after Monday's showers. And officials don't anticipating giving players relief from muddied golf balls.

Thursday's evening rush hour is also expected to be affected by the severe weather, officials said.

Some lingering showers are expected Friday, and forecasters say the area should see a mostly dry Friday evening and weekend.

Philadelphia is also closing in on June's monthly rainfall record. As of this morning, 6.79 inches of rain had fallen at Philadelphia International Airport so far this month -- already the 10th-highest total.

The record for June's rainfall total was set in 1938, at 10.06 inches.